Osteopathy for Visceral Manipulation
What is Visceral Manipulation?
Osteopathic Visceral Manipulation is a type of gentle therapy that focuses on the organs inside our body. “Visceral” refers to the organs, like the stomach, liver, lungs, and intestines, while “manipulation” means gently moving or massaging these organs. These are the organs that keep you healthy and strong. Sometimes, these organs can get tight or stuck, and that might make you feel sick or uncomfortable.
The main idea behind visceral manipulation is to help the organs move and work as they should. Just like our muscles and bones, our organs need to move freely to stay healthy. When an organ can’t move properly, it can cause pain, discomfort, or other problems. This can happen for many reasons, such as injuries, surgeries, or even stress.
Visceral manipulation is a gentle way to help these organs move better. A trained therapist uses their hands to feel and touch your body. They carefully press and move your organs to help them work the way they should. This helps your organs slide and glide, just like they are supposed to.
During a visceral manipulation session, an osteopathic manual therapist uses their hands to gently press, push, or pull on different parts of the body. They feel for areas where the organs might be tight or stuck and try to help them move better. The movements are slow and careful. The goal is to make sure each organ can move properly, just like it should. It can reduce pain, improve digestion, help with breathing, and support overall health.
What Does Osteopathic Visceral Manipulation Feel Like?
Osteopathic visceral manipulation feels gentle and calming. When you go for this therapy, you will lie down on a table. The therapist will use their hands to touch your belly, sides, chest or back very softly. They might press lightly or move their hands in a gentle, slow motion over different areas of your body.
You might feel the therapist’s hands moving in a circular or wavy pattern. Sometimes, it feels like a gentle stretching or a light pressure. The therapist listens to how your body responds, so if you feel any discomfort, they will adjust their touch to make sure you are comfortable.
Many people say it feels relaxing, like a soft massage. You may even feel warm or notice a gentle pulling sensation as your body begins to relax and let go of any tightness. Some people feel a light tingling, while others feel a sense of release, like a deep breath out.
During the session, you might notice changes happening inside your body. For example, you could feel your stomach gurgle or your breathing become deeper. This is your body responding to the gentle movements and starting to heal.
Overall, you may get a variety of different sensations during the session, however none of them should ever cause you pain. It should be comfortable, gentle and relaxing.
What Types of Things Does Osteopathic Visceral Manipulation Help?
Osteopathic visceral manipulation can help with many different kinds of problems in your body. Here are some of the most common things it can help:
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Digestive Issues: If you have stomach problems, like bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or acid reflux, visceral manipulation can help your digestive organs move better. This can make your tummy feel calmer and help your digestion work more smoothly.
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Chronic Pain: This therapy can help relieve pain in different parts of your body. If you have pain in your back, shoulders, neck, or hips, it could be because an organ isn’t moving as it should. Visceral manipulation can help release this tension, easing your pain.
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Headaches and Migraines: Sometimes, tightness or restriction in the organs can cause headaches or migraines. By gently helping these organs move better, visceral manipulation can reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches.
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Women’s Health Issues: It can help with problems related to menstruation, such as cramps or irregular periods, and even conditions like endometriosis or pelvic pain. The gentle movements can help improve blood flow and reduce pain or discomfort in the pelvic area.
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Respiratory Problems: If you have trouble breathing deeply or have issues like asthma or frequent colds, visceral manipulation can help your lungs and chest move better. This can make it easier to breathe and may help you recover more quickly from respiratory issues.
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Stress and Anxiety: By gently working with the organs, visceral manipulation can help calm the nervous system. This can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, helping you feel more relaxed and balanced.
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Post-Surgery Recovery: After surgery, scar tissue can form around organs, causing tightness and discomfort. Visceral manipulation can help soften and release this scar tissue, improving movement and reducing pain.
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Urinary and Bladder Issues: If you have frequent urges to go to the bathroom or feel discomfort when you urinate, visceral manipulation can help by gently supporting the bladder and nearby organs to function better.
Why Choose Visceral Manipulation?
Visceral manipulation is safe and gentle. The therapist listens to your body and uses soft, caring touches. It doesn’t hurt, and it can make a big difference in how you feel.
Visceral manipulation can help in many ways. When your organs move better, you might feel less pain. If you have a stomachache, a sore back, or even headaches, visceral manipulation can help you feel better. Sometimes, when one organ isn’t working well, it can make other parts of your body hurt. By helping that organ, the pain might go away.
If you have trouble going to the bathroom or if your tummy feels upset a lot, visceral manipulation can help things move smoothly. People who feel really tired all the time can also feel better after visceral manipulation. Sometimes, when your organs are tight or stuck, they make you feel tired. By helping your organs move freely, you might feel more energy and be able to do more things you love.
Overall, osteopathic visceral manipulation is a calm and soothing experience that helps your body feel lighter, more relaxed, and balanced.
Osteopathic visceral manipulation can help many different problems by gently supporting the organs and helping them work as they should. This therapy can help improve your overall health, reduce pain, and make you feel better from the inside out.
Written by Christine Dixon, DO(MP) Sept 3, 2024.
